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Microsoft Offers Free Software in Return for Your Privacy

Jimmy 2004

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Microsoft has made an interesting offer to PC users - in return for participating in its Windows Feedback Program, you can receive a 'free' copy of software titles including Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007, Microsoft Money Plus Premium Edition, Microsoft Student with Encarta Premium 2008 and Microsoft Streets and Trips 2008. However, as you would expect from Microsoft, this so-called free software comes with a price. If you participate Microsoft will ask you to do a survey once a week and will collect data about the following:
We are looking for information that will help us understand problems you encounter with Windows, how you have configured your computer and Windows, what hardware you are using, and general information about how you are using Windows and Microsoft Office products on your computer.
Microsoft will basically be collecting all sorts of information, including hardware details, Control Panel settings, file and folder information and usage statistics for Windows and Office as well any problems you encounter with them. So if you value your privacy less than a copy of Windows Vista, this could be for you. Or perhaps you could just install it on a secondary system and get a free piece of software for that?!

Update: Apparently Microsoft has already had too many people register, so it's reached its limit for free software giveaways. You can still register for the program, but you won't receive anything in return.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site
 
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newtekie1

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Sounds good to me, I can let is sit on my rarely-used PIII laptop for a few months and get a free copy of Vista.
 

jocksteeluk

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#It sounds great but how long would you be tied to doing these surveys? id expect that is the catch.
 

sneekypeet

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3months was the story in the thread I subscribed to on this matter last night, but I guess its been posted 3X's now!!!!!!
 
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how do you sign up for this
 
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In the "Headlines" section on the forum mainpage, it only shows so many words of the thread title, and read,
"Microsoft Offers Free Software in Return for Your..."

the first thought that filled in the blank was "in Return for Your SOUL" haha

and ofcourse, it's true. But ya definitely if you have an extra system around, get Vista Ultimate fo sheezy.
 
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I'll pass on this. There are other ways to get Vista free.
 
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I'll pass on this. There are other ways to get Vista free.

lol yes there are and one of them is magic...the other one takes a few days
 
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FatForester

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lol, I'm 13. I'm luaghing in the face of the (whatever the UK equivalent for the RIAA is) one download at a time man.

:laugh:
 
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I S O
Hunt
Simple as A B C
 
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When do you get yr free copy of fista ultimate? I'm not installing windoze feedback panel 'til I find out :wtf:
 

hat

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Sounds like a deal with the devil to me.
"OK, allow us to monitor everything that happens on your computer and we'll give you our crap OS for free."

:banghead: :(
 

PVTCaboose1337

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Well... this is a good deal, but I'm gonna say the site is DOWN because so many people are hitting it.
 
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Yea sign your life away, who knows what information they can get from monitoring your comp. No piracy for some, bank account details on others, are microsoft going to turn out like china and monitor every move you make online? :shadedshu
 

PVTCaboose1337

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I see no offer of free software (like Vista Ultimate or the like). Just the programs to auto-upload your information.

Where is a link to the page that states that participation in this program is rewarded with free software?!?!?
 
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I'm signed up for it. Haven't seen a big difference really. The WFP processes eat about 15megs of ram, and never take any cpu time. Small hit really. This will get me a free OS at about the time I'll be building a new box. Shaves some $$ off that build cost, yanno?
 

panchoman

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i may install this on an old p2, but i would never let ms put that shit in my current rig
 
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jadenkc

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Where in the process does it state that you will receive a free copy of Windows Vista, Office, Money etc...?
 

WarEagleAU

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So wait...Im thinking of doing this, but I dont have a back up PC to put it on.....hmm.
 
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